Master Bari

Every square meter counts in the highly dense Dhaka: a family of four living in a 3mx3m room is no exception. We started designing at this micro scale, questioning the minimum space necessary for a decent human dwelling within this context. The result was an 11m2 unit, which extends into a 2.4m wide veranda, built in bamboo with local methods.

Due to Dhaka‘s climate conditions, many daily activities (such as income generation, cooking, or social interaction) are performed outdoors. Both the veranda and the ground floor, which is an extension of the capillary alley system we designed, serve as a framework for such a flexible program.

The Hatir Jheel ring road reliefs traffic congestion but creates a physical border to the lake, a precious public space. Our intention is to restore access to the waterfront both for low-income and high-income inhabitants. Other than allowing for a vibrant social environment, this water system also serves as drainage during the Monsoon season.